VoIP: What it is and Why it’s Better Than Traditional Landlines

In this day and age, we have a lot of different ways to communicate that aren’t picking up the phone. But, in many cases, a phone call makes a lot of sense — especially in the dental world. For example, there are some complex procedures that require follow-up calls, and sometimes patients find it easiest to book appointments or ask questions over the phone. 

This is where Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) comes in. But what exactly is it, and why is it so helpful to dental practices?

What is VoIP?

VoIP is a technology that allows you to make and receive phone calls using the internet instead of a traditional landline. Instead of relying on physical phone lines, VoIP converts your voice into digital signals and sends them through your internet connection. This means you can talk to anyone, anywhere, as long as you have a stable internet connection. 

For dental offices, this is especially useful because it allows flexible communication with patients, whether you’re in the office, working from home, or even traveling.

Why dental practices choose VoIP 

Many practices are finding that VoIP offers significant advantages over traditional landlines. Through VoIP, dentists and oral surgeons can keep the positives of communicating by voice, while also incorporating the benefits of internet-based communication. Some of these key benefits include:

Cost savings: Traditional landlines, especially for long-distance or international calls, can be expensive. VoIP operates over the internet, leading to substantial cost reductions, particularly for cross-region or global communication.

Location flexibility: Unlike landlines, which keep you tethered to a specific place, VoIP systems can be used anywhere with an internet connection. This allows seamless communication whether you’re in the office, at home, or on the move.

Low maintenance: VoIP systems require minimal setup, eliminating the need for extensive line installation and on-site maintenance. This makes it a hassle-free, modern solution that’s easy to maintain.

Scalability: Expanding with VoIP is straightforward. Adding lines or locations doesn’t demand significant infrastructure changes, making growth simpler and more affordable.

Integration capabilities: VoIP integrates seamlessly with digital tools, enabling more cohesive workflows. For instance, VoIP solutions can connect with platforms for CRM or patient management, making it easy to access call histories, appointments, and other essential information in one place.

Advanced features: With VoIP, modern call features like video calling, voicemail-to-email, and voice-to-text are easily accessible, enhancing how your business communicates.

Reduced environmental impact: With less physical infrastructure, VoIP systems lead to a lower carbon footprint, making them a greener choice over traditional landline systems. 

Good things are coming from Intiveo!

Intiveo is proud to offer a number of resources like this blog to dental and oral surgery practices across Canada and the United States, including guides, templates packages, self-assessment tools, and our podcast! Receive these resources directly to your inbox by subscribing below.

Plus, stay tuned for an exciting upcoming announcement from Intiveo! We’re always striving to innovate and we understand the importance of being able to call your patient quickly and easily.